Students at parochial schools can now compete for their hometown public school district’s sports teams as long as their current school doesn’t offer that sporting opportunity, according to the Thomas More Society, the law firm that is representing families who filed a lawsuit this summer alleging that Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association bylaws violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
As reported by ABC affiliate WHTM in Harrisburg, the change follows an Interim Consent Order that was entered Monday in federal court, the Thomas More Society said.
“It is rewarding to see talented parochial school athletes finally being allowed to participate in their home school district’s athletic programs,” Thomas More Society special counsel Thomas Breth, who represents the families, said. “This is a huge relief for parents and students across Pennsylvania who have been unnecessary excluded from participation simply because of their desire to pursue a faith-based education.”
Related: PIAA Sued Over Parochial School Student Eligibility
The PIAA is currently working on changing its Bylaws to comply with the order.
“The PIAA’s current Bylaws are in direct violation of the constitutional rights of families who wish to provide their children with a faith-based education, while still pursuing athletic opportunities in their home school districts,” Breth said.
To confirm if their student is eligible, the Thomas More Society advises that families contact the athletic director and the superintendent of the home school district for their student to participate in sporting activities and ask them to contact PIAA executive director Robert Lombardi and/or the PIAA chief operating officer Mark Byers.
